Chat with Chuck Mindenhall

Welcome to SportsNation! On Friday, MMA blogger Chuck Mindenhall stops by to chat about the news from the octagon.

Mindenhall began covering MMA for ESPN.com in October 2010. He has worked as a features writer for FIGHT! Magazine, and contributed to many other publications, such as the LA Times, Village Voice and LA Weekly.

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:01 PM)

And here we are for another Friday Chat. Once again I am head-to-head with the weigh-ins, so I'll leave it to you multitasking people to keep me updated with any breaking developments. Also, any jpegs of Diaz mean-mugging Miller would be peach. Otherwise, we've got Bellator going on tonight, and lots of UFC news from yesterday's Dana Scrum. What's on your minds? Let's get this thing rolling...

Scott (Salt Lake City)

Are you glad to be in New Jersey or would you rather be in Vegas going to the Mayweather fight?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:02 PM)

I'd like to see the Mayweather fight, but I'm happily installed in Jersey for this Fox card. I've been looking forward to it for a while.

psycho (LaLaLand)

with Bones slated to fight in September, any way he manages to fight 3 times this year?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:03 PM)

I still think he could end up fighting at third time, perhaps in December. But...there was some flirtation from Dana yesterday about a megacard in January. You'd have to think that Jones might factor into that.

Rawdog (MD)

Why do they call you chost?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:03 PM)

It's from my twin brother. He calls me Chost...chubby hos...hey wait. What? That was the other dude.

David (Spartanburg)

How can their not be fireworks Saturday?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:04 PM)

All four of the main card fights have potential to be explosive fights. Barry/Johnson? Somebody will be downed. Miller/Diaz will be the best fight that FOX has seen thus far, I think.

Jr (Arizona)

Does Jim Miller deserve a title shot with a win on Saturday in your opinion?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:06 PM)

If not a title shot, at least to be in a title eliminator bout with Anthony Pettis. Out of everybody who was hijacked in that Maynard/Edgar series, he was the one that had it worst. Seven wins in a row and he still didn't get a shot. His loss was to Henderson, and he had some ailments...if he beats Diaz and Pettis, he should get it.

Trevor (Mpls)

Ugh...I know its not possible, but can we please stop with all the retiring/unretiring talk BS, please?!?! Most recently with BJ. How about just say you're taking some time off...you know you're gonna be back.

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:07 PM)

Yeah, the word retire should have some finality to it. These days it means "hiatus." I guess it milks the drama, and it makes for fans clamoring for a come back, which feeds tired egos. But yeah. I'd like it better if they did what Matt Hughes did, and say something like "I'm putting myself on the shelf."

Scott (Salt Lake City)

Auto Update is off.

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:08 PM)

It says it's on. Let me know if it's not updating and I'll reset.

Fadi(Tustin) [via mobile]

Chuck do you think Jon Fitch will ever be in title contention again or has time gone?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:09 PM)

He's got a hard paddle back. For one, he was Mista Contention for the longest time and still couldn't get that rematch with GSP. Now, with a loss to Hendricks and a big logjam of contenders, he'll need to do some extraordinary things to get back. Things like finishing some (top ten) dudes.

Carter (Chicago - Berwyn)

What's the over under on Hendricks KOing that a**hole Kos in the first round?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:09 PM)

I would say over...I think it'll be a second round knockout for Hendricks.

Scott (Salt Lake City)

What do you about Machida's idea to move down to 185?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:10 PM)

I didn't hear about that. Link?

Trevor (Mpls)

Overeem also involved in the January megacard??

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:10 PM)

Wouldn't that be something. I don't know, but doubt the UFC is dreaming up red carpet events for his return just yet.

Alex (Billerica)

What did you think of the Invicta cards? Seems like they did a great job with the talent and budget they had

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:11 PM)

Yeah, I thought it was great. I am looking forward to the next one. Couldn't have gone better, actually.

Phil (Corona CA)

Which fight on this weekend's prelims are you looking forward to most? I'm interested in the Hathaway fight.

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:12 PM)

There are some good ones. I guess for me it would be John Cholish and Danny Castillo. Only Cholish's second UFC bout, and a tough challenge with the stalwart Castillo. I think they'll put it on each other.

@PappaFeez (Dallas)

Should be a good night of action but my casual MMA friends do NOT care about this card at all. Luckily the Mayweather fight is same night so we'll be at a sports bar.

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:13 PM)

Yeah, I'm getting some of that. I think it's one of those cards that if people do stumble on it though, they'll leave a lot more impressed than they would have if they caught that bout between Davis/Evans.

David (Spartanburg)

Any thoughts on short nottice fights. Everyone says "not ideal", but to me it is the best way to judge who is the best fighter. In life, fights are spur of the moment. You don't have weeks to game plan.

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:14 PM)

I know there are some fighters who have no problem taking short notice fights (and do fine when they do). Guys like Cowboy Cerrone. Then there are guys like Carlos Condit and Johny Hendricks who like to have the crosshairs set for a full few months. Just depends.

Alan (Oakland)

You think that Eddie Alvarez will ever fight in the UFC? Thought he'd be there by now if they were interested.

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:16 PM)

Dana White was asked in the scrum yesterday if Alvarez was close, and he said they are watching him and have interest. They are going to try for him, and my guess is he's signed by October (when his contract is up with Bellator). The lightweights will get deeper then. Wish they'd draw it up that he has to fight Melendez in Strikeforce before heading over...

Travis el reno, ok [via mobile]

With B.J. Penn coming out of retirement, who would be the best opponent for him first?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:25 PM)

Sorry guys...technical difficulties. We seem to be back up...

Stu (Portland)

Enjoying the Friday chat, Chucky. Do you think Lombard will get a title shot if he beats Stann?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:26 PM)

I didn't think he would with guys like Chris Weidman and Mark Munoz and Michael Bisping lurking, but Dana didn't seem opposed to the idea. If he beats Stann convincingly, we might just see it.

Ultimate Warrior (Parts Unknown)

I'm trying to understand why Nate is such a big underdog, I see this fight standing the whole time as I don't think Miller wants to sit in Nate's guard. If it's standing, Nate wins. Where am I wrong, what's vegas seeing that I'm missing?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:28 PM)

I think it's because he's struggled with some wrestlers over they ears. This fight has a similar feel to it to the one he had with Clay Guida. If the fight is standing, and Miller chooses Cerrone's game plan of standing and trading, then it's Diaz's fight. But Miller's a gritty dude, and pretty smart. I think he'll do work on the mat.

Tomas Rios (NYC)

Wait, I thought this was the Ice-capades chat? Where is Brian Boitano?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:29 PM)

There he is. My celebrity cameo. This can be an Ice-capades chat (so long as we tie it to MMA).

Rrrrasterizer (Birmingham)

Ben Saunders and Bryan Baker: WHO TAKES IT?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:29 PM)

Going Saunders on this one. I think he'll get the better of Baker on the feet...TKO, is what I see.

Ultimate Warrior (Parts Unknown)

Which limb does Toquinho take home with him?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:30 PM)

If he's on Spirit Airlines, he may need to pay a fee for Belcher's leg for the overhead. So I will say a hand and wrist.

Mike (Pittsburgh)

Why does Mayweather even bother fighting guys like Cotto when everybody wants to see him against Pac??

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:30 PM)

I can give you 32 million reasons...

Trevor (Madison, WI)

Why did the move the Bisbing-Boetsch fight instead of something like Cung/Ace?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:31 PM)

I think they wanted to groom Bisping/Boetsch a little, if this is really a title mix dust up. Boetsch is still more journeyman than contender in most people's eyes, so the exposure will do him good.

David (Spartanburg)

How does Garza make 145. I think he is hollow or something.

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:32 PM)

I'm no ornithologist...but bird bones?

Scott (Salt Lake City)

Are you not at the weigh in's?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:33 PM)

Not at weigh-ins. Will be at fight tomorrow, though.

Rick (Kansas)

Looks like if Lombard wins against Stann in August, he will get a title shot? Do you agree with this decision?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:34 PM)

I'd have no big problem with it if he blows Stann up. Bottom line is at that point he'd have won 21 in a row, including a UFC name brand.

Robert (Concord)

If Hendricks wins does he get a title show against GSP/Condit winner or Rory MacDonald?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:35 PM)

It's a jumbled top, Robert. I think they may give Hendricks the option to wait out Condit/GSP, but I doubt he would. In that case, maybe a fight with the Ellenberger/Kampmann winner? Or possibly Rory, if they are fast-tracking him.

Aaron (fl)

For talking so much crap the UFC should give Rampage Phil Davis for his last fight.

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:36 PM)

Joe Silva needs a better sadist streak. I agree. Sick Davis on him.

Brad (long Beach)

Love the Friday Chat, Mindy. Wondering why the Henderson/Jones fight is being pushed back to September??

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:37 PM)

Jones isn't ready for the quicker turnaround, according to his agent Malki Kawa. So it looks like early September, at an event/venue TBD. Poor Henderson...that's a long time to wait when you're soon to be 42.

Dennis (MI)

Which MMA fighter correlates most to any Star Wars character?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:38 PM)

Hmm. Good one, with this being, what, Star Wars week? I'm tempted to say Roy Nelson, who could be a good Rancor keeper.

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:47 PM)

Jason (Corona)

If BJ Penn is indeed coming back at 170 pounds, who should the UFC put him against? I'd still like to see him and Diaz do it again.

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:47 PM)

I think BJ would like that, too. Hard to say. I answered this earlier...there's no shortage of intriguing guys at 170 pounds. Glad to hear he's contemplating another go round.

Stan (San Diego)

Why does everyone forget how good GSP is the longer it's been since he fought?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:50 PM)

A lot of talk about this in the P4P discussion, with Jones leapfrogging GSP in a lot of people's minds. I still had GSP at No. 2 behind Anderson Silva. I know Jones has wrecked the division and did it with diabolical ease, but GSP has won nine in a row, and has been on top longer...with guys studying him, on tape, his vulnerabilities, everything. And yet, he's been invulnerable since Serra I. Jones is right there...it's apples/apples.

@PappaFeez (Dallas)

Penn vs Rory

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:50 PM)

Interesting. That wouldn't be a very good dangling carrot to come back to the cage for me if I'm Penn. MacDonald is a beast.

Chuck (Il)

Chuck - Who will you be walking out with tomorrow?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:51 PM)

Probably somebody like Case Keefer. None of the fighters will have me. Case will.

Travis (Mission Viejo)

Good stuff on MMA Live this week, but you're crazy to have GSP above Jon Jones in the P4P discussion.

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:52 PM)

Yes, so I've been told. But, it's a 2A and 2B deal for me. And it's glorified subjectivity. Just fun debate.

Jenn (Columbus)

I saw your blog about a potential megafight in January. You think it could be Jones/Silva? Or....maybe GSP/Silva???

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:54 PM)

It's so far off that it's silly to speculate, but if you look at the timelines of A. Silva and J. Jones, there might be some groundwork for that superfight. Jones fights in Sept, so a January turnaround is about right. Silva fights in July, but he could use the time to bulk up some. To me, if Jones destroys Hendo and Silva beats Sonnen, those guys will have come close to cleaning out their divisions.

Aaron (fl)

If Jones destroys Hendo would he finally get by Silva for P4P. I think his resume is much more impressive then Silvas has been over his last 6 fights.

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:54 PM)

I think they'd be very close. One good thing is we wouldn't have to be as theoretical with the P4P rankings in this case. We could simply let them fight.

Trevor (Mpls)

For as much as I loved Brock in MMA, I have since gone back to greatly disliking the guy. Tearing apart a WWE lockerroom over a fixed match?!?!

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:55 PM)

Didn't see that. Maybe that was part of the choreography?

David (Spartanburg)

FON prediction?

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:56 PM)

Going to go with the main event, Miller/Diaz. I think they'll both be battered at the end of a back-and-forth war. (Maybe I'm being overly optimistic).

Tyler (Oklahoma )

So if Diaz wins he gets a title shot if he wants to wait, so who you got and why if he fights Benson? I think Miller wins though.

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:57 PM)

I'd take Ben Henderson, for the same reason I'm taking Miller: Wrestling. I think Henderson would be too strong for Diaz, and would be able to take it to where he wants it.

@PappaFeez (Dallas)

Poor Brazil, they go from Silva/Sonnen II to Vitor retiring Wandy as their UFC 147 main event.

Chuck Mindenhall

(4:58 PM)

That card is like watching a balloon shoot across the room as it loses its air.

Ricky D (Atlanta)

Chucky... you going to see the Avengers? If Couture was Captain America, who's the UFC's Hulk?

Chuck Mindenhall

(5:00 PM)

I don't think I'll see the Avengers. Not much into it. But if there was a Hulk in the UFC, I guess it would be Rousimar Palhares. I've heard he has shredded shirts by flexing in the mirror. (This last sentence is totally fiction).

Trevor (Mpls)

Nope, apparently, Brock was pissed he didn't get to talk on the microphone. Boo-hoo

Chuck Mindenhall

(5:00 PM)

Well, tantrums just won't do.

Jeff (Salt Lake City)

Chuck, the last 3 Friday chats have all ended with one of my comment/questions. Coincidence?? How about making it 4 weeks in a row with this one?

Chuck Mindenhall

(5:02 PM)

Jeff, you're my Mariano Rivera (pre-ACL). I got to get out of here people. Thanks for stopping in today. Enjoy the fights tonight and tomorrow, and we'll see you next Friday. If I didn't get to your question, hit me on Twitter, @ChuckMindenhall

Matt [via mobile]

What up Chuck?!?! You daffy fella you. Who are your picks for tomorrow night?

Chuck Mindenhall

(5:03 PM)

Jeff (Salt Lake City)

What ever happened to the rumor of The American Psycho v. Kos at 185? Was that completely unrealistic? I would love to see that fight. Kos has nowhere else to go but take fights people want to see. Same with Bonnar, right?